Back on top

Kathleen Szmit

Thursday

Nov 25, 2010 at 2:00 AMNov 25, 2010 at 11:00 PM

The Barnstable Volleyball team is back. Back on top, that is. After just a season out of the state championship limelight, the Raiders captured the coveted title again in glee and glory Nov. 20 against Lincoln-Sudbury in Northboro.

TEAM EFFORT – The Barnstable girls varsity volleyball team poses for an all-smiles photo after winning their 14th State Championship title Nov. 20.

Girls volleyball champs again

The Barnstable Volleyball team is back. Back on top, that is. After just a season out of the state championship limelight, the Raiders captured the coveted title again in glee and glory Nov. 20 against Lincoln-Sudbury in Northboro. In a tournament season peppered with come-from-behind wins, the Red Raiders needed just three games to take the title, besting L-S 25-11, 26-24, and 25-17 for a nice 3-0 sweep. The packed-to-the gills gym at Algonquin Regional High was already deafeningly loud, but when the final Raider kill came over the net off the strong hand of Carolyn Morin, the scores of Barnstable fans who’d made the trek to see the game veritably exploded with excitement. Adding to the on-court drama was the fact that the Raiders were initially deemed the underdogs after earning their spot in the finals with two come-from-behind victories against New Bedford in the South finals and Andover in the state semifinals. “This team was amazing in they were NOT the pick to win the State Championship this year,” said head coach Tom Turco in an email interview. “New Bedford graduated only one from their State Championship team and were the favorites all the way.” Turco, however, had faith in his girls. “We knew we were stronger this year and would rise to the occasion,” he said. “It was a pleasure watching them grow together as a team.” The Raiders burst onto the court in full power against L-S, taking a quick lead in Game 1. L-S, however, swiftly reminded the Raiders that this was, indeed, a championship match, and ripped off enough points to gain a temporary lead at 6-5. The Raiders weren’t to be swayed, peeling off seven consecutive points to regain a commanding lead and put L-S on notice. Game 2 served as a reminder that both teams had earned their spot in the championship for a reason, proving fiercely competitive with the Warriors fighting the Raiders for every point. When Barnstable took a 3-0 lead in the opener, the Warriors slammed in five points to wrest the lead back from their Red Raider opponents. A points-trading battle ensued, with Barnstable ultimately surging ahead 20-18. Not to be easily outdone, L-S fought to a 24-22 lead, hovering within one point of tying the match 1-1 before Barnstable’s Kaylee Deluga smashed in two kills to give the Raiders a burst of energy. Kayla Crook’s serving ace continued the momentum, with a solid kill from Morin sealing the second-game victory for Barnstable. Game 3 belonged solely to the Red Raiders, who dominated their way to their 14th State Championship, the team erupting into a joyous group hug after the final point was tallied. Recalling the team’s impressive come-from-behind efforts to reach the State finals, Turco was inspired enough to compare them to the 2004 Red Sox. “The thought ‘destiny’ started creeping in. This was a Rubies in the Sand: Recipes from the Cape Cod Cranberry Bogs team for the ages,” said Turco. “Not once did they waver on their commitment to their goals. No playing time issues. No role issues. No lineup issues. To coach a team with that type of trust is reflective of the results.” Probably beaming brightest following the win were the team’s two seniors, Devon Bentivegna and Sarah Colby, both of whom were instrumental in the win. “They were 100 percent committed to this team and I trusted them totally,” Turco said of the duo. “[They were] incredibly focused and driven girls. Their leadership of 12 underclassmen was a big reason this team was able to stay focused and motivated all season long. I loved coaching them and will miss them very much.” Drawing on the name of the Raiders’ opponents, Turco said that in his mind it was his team that were the warriors. “The ultimate compliment a coach can pay to a player or team is that they were ‘warriors’," Turco said. “This team indeed were warriors not only in my eyes but [also] those of so many who contacted me in regards to their success.”

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